Scenic Route

I dropped by Towner’s on Tuesday morning to see if Peter could fix whatever it was I’d screwed-up on my rear dérailleur. He was happy to have a break from putting together new bikes. The new Giant he was assembling at the time was a beautiful coppery color. It didn’t instill bike [...]

As you may recall, the two times I’ve flatted a tire, I’ve taken the wheel over to Towner’s where I had them put in Mr. Tuffy tire liners and thorn-resistant heavy-duty tubes. Later, when the factory rubber band tires developed eggs, I replaced them with Specialized Armadillo Infinity kevlar-belted tires.

I hate flat tires. [...]

Yesterday the mailman brought the Lava Sox I’d ordered from dowrap.com. Today I walked out of Park Ave Bike Shop not only with the gloves I’d intended to purchase, but also with a pair of Louis Garneau Magma gloves.

When the cold weather comes, you can call me Volcano Man in my Lava Sox and [...]

I slept like shit last night. Trying to make up for I, I stayed in bed until 11 this morning. It’s not a catastrophe since Monday is part of my weekend. Still, being such a nice day and all, I was a bit disappointed.

It was nearly two before I was ready to [...]

Who knew I’d be riding dressed for July on the last Sunday of November? (See: Is it November yet?)

I’d planned a nice ride to check out the new section of the Riverway trail and the new bike bridge across the river, up north towards Charlotte and the lake. And a stop for a [...]

After a week that was agreeably pleasant, and on the verge of outstanding for the end of November, today was the second of two 65°F (19°C) days in a row. Full sun yesterday, hazy, gauzy sun today, and no wind at all.

The best I could do yesterday was leave home a little early and [...]

Today’s ride crashed through 163% of November’s mileage goal and with four days left in the month.

With all of them forecast for good weather, there’s no question that miles ridden in November will exceed those ridden September. If I average just 16 miles a day in the next four days, November miles will exceed [...]

I learned today that “alternative” types can be shocked by middle-aged men on bicycles. You just have to do it right. And I suppose it helps that I understand—even if the alternative types don’t—that all they’ve really done is exchange one set of norms and conformities for another. They still conform, and [...]

I know the song is normally associated with Christmas, but that’s the route to my parents, and it was for a holiday dinner. Sue me.

It was a great day for a ride. This afternoon it was right around 50, perfectly sunny, and winds from the WNW at 5–10. I took a longer [...]

I lost most of my apprehension over using the patch on Saturday night when I sat down with the instruction book and listened to the CD.

I’d been apprehensive thinking it would draw out the quitting process by six to eight weeks. It’s generally bad enough as it is, without having to endure an extra [...]